x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar

Evergreen Podcasts

Pop culture inspires some serious fun. Join hosts Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk, two creatively curious pals living between the bookends of grand museums and dive bars, the sweet spot where highbrow and lowbrow become drinking buddies. They talk influential work and uncover stories of how the familiar became iconic. Think Behind the Music for the stuff we love. ----- Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/ for images, links, episode extras and more. ----- Two Designers Walk Into a Bar is part

arts design

All Episodes

36:51

Episode 110: Good Movies and Old Books - A...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/06/25

Today we’re sitting down with a new friend, a designer and illustrator who has been successful working with clients ranging from a local hot dog shop to clients like Airbnb and Facebook.But what we have in common with Matt Stevens is not only a love for design, but also pop culture. So we’re talking with him about a personal project that grew into an actual project, his new book Good Movies as Old Books. It’s time to grab a bag of popcorn and add some rum to your overpriced Coke. We’re

en

47:56

Episode 109: Foxes, Flies and the Design of...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/06/11

If you’ve ever caught a late-night flick full of high-speed chases, stylish wardrobes, and unforgettable soundtracks, you might’ve stumbled into the bold, brash world of blaxploitation. This genre wasn’t just about action—it brought civil rights, empowerment, and attitude to the screen, with a mix of crime, martial arts, westerns, horror, comedy, prison breaks, and even musicals.Today, we’re diving into two of the era’s most iconic films: Foxy Brown and Super Fly. We’re also shining a light on the

en

36:11

Episode 108: Cups, Plates and Trophy Design

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/05/28

If you wander into any school, bar or thrift store, you're bound to see a collection of trophies. Have you ever wondered why they often look like cups, plates and other objects you wouldn't think about grabbing after a robust game of tennis or an intense hockey match? We did, and we’ve got a couple of amazing examples we’re talking about today: Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish for women's tennis and The Stanley Cup for men's hockey.We’re digging into the curious history of why some of the biggest

en

38:15

Episode 107: U.S. Wartime Propaganda Posters

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/05/14

We want you! If you’re looking for something to volunteer for, if you’re ready to be part of something bigger than yourself...Something that will make you see the world in a new way and make new friends...While spending some time together in the trenches or back home supporting the effort, then listen to our wartime propaganda episode!Today we’re discussing the histories of two of the most iconic posters (and characters) in the world: Rosie the Riveter and Uncle Sam. It’s time to salute the

en

47:14

Episode 106: The State Flags of Ohio and Maryland

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/04/30

Today we’re talking about a couple of state flag designs. And just like everyone here in the bar, they have unique appearances and colorful histories. In one corner we have the funky flag from Ohio, and in the other we have the boldly graphic flag of Maryland.It’s time to order a couple of Aviation cocktails. We’re gonna be getting into some different states of mind today in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and

en

35:47

Episode 105: Iconic Book Covers for Jurassic Park and...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/04/16

Today we’re going all literary, getting in touch with our bookish sides. We’re not being antisocial, but we’ve brought a couple of books to the bar. And in spite of that phrase we all hear so often, we're gonna judge two books, Jurassic Park and The Great Gatsby, by their covers.So order up a couple of Tequila Mockingbirds. We’ve brought our library cards (and Todd’s credit card) with us to the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional

en

48:47

Episode 104: Movie Studio Logos

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/04/02

Today we’re going aaaalllll Hollywood. We're talking about movie studio logos, quite possibly the oldest examples of liquid branding, with one logo that's been relatively unchanged over close to 100 years and another that has gone through a bit of an identity crisis only to return to a familiar form: 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers.So have your people call our people, because we’re having a three martini lunch and making some amazing deals here in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode

en

64:08

Episode 103: Game Show Logos

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/03/19

Today we’re going to be talking about game show logos – the good, the bad and the ugly — and how sometimes all of those qualities could be found in a single piece of artwork. We’re zeroing in on a couple that are loud, busy and colorful, just like the era they were created in and the sets they were created for: The Gong Show and Match Game.So grab the remote, ask the bartender for a couple of Slot Machine cocktails and join us once again as we spin the wheel and roll the dice right here in the

en

48:49

Episode 102: Postage Stamps - Part 2

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/03/05

Today we’re going to be talking some more about postage stamps. The way they reflect pop culture and how they are an art form that celebrates other art forms. We’ve got some stamps with fluid line work and a whole lotta shakin’ going on… Al Hirschfeld and Elvis have entered the building.Mix-up a couple of 2-Cent Stamp cocktails and join us once again as we send you a couple more stories from right here in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we

en

41:01

Episode 101: Postage Stamps - Part 1

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/02/19

Today we’re going to be talking about postage stamps: the history and origin of them, who uses them and whether or not they’re still relevant in our age of email and mail order deliveries. And, of course, the art of it all and why stamps still matter today.We touch on the controversy of who invented the stamp, the fraud associated with early mail and how the U.S. Postal Service misprinted a commemorative stamp for Swede Dag Hammarskjöld on purpose. Ask the bartender for a couple of Air Mail

en

31:10

Episode 100: Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/02/05

What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening!We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on pop culture (and snacking), and why these same techniques invented decades ago still work today. Order a Bedrock Fizz for yourself (and maybe a few for

en

42:17

Episode 99: Cat Posters with Paul Hennessey

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/01/22

Cats. You may love 'em, hate 'em or feel indifferent, but there's no escaping their power, especially if you spend any time online.Cats have a long history in the world of advertising. In our latest episode, we invite friend and poster expert Paul Hennessey back into the bar to discuss the appeal of cat posters aesthetically and financially, discuss a few of our favorites and decode why their traits and quirks make them perfect for so many different types of products. - - - - - Visit our full

en

63:59

Episode 98: Goodyear’s Blimp, Pixar’s Luxo Lamp and...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2025/01/08

The Goodyear Blimp is turning 100 years old, so we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.Ever wonder why a tire company is most known for a blimp? Or why an animation studio has a desk lamp as its trademark? We did. Turns out Goodyear and Pixar didn’t invent either of these things. Learn the origin stories of Goodyear’s blimps, Pixar’s loveable Luxo lamp, and how these adopted objects transcended their initial utility to become known around the world. - - - - - Visit our full episode page

en

35:32

Episode 97: The ‘80s: New Wave Gets Fashionable...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2024/12/25

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.Video may have killed the radio star, but it poured gasoline on the spark of New Wave. As MTV exploded, youth culture moved to center stage and companies making wearables were more than happy to cater to changing tastes. In this episode we focus on Vans and Swatch, a couple of iconic fashion accessories found on the wrists and feet of Gen X. As we wrap-up our season on New Wave, let us know if you feel there's something we missed. We just might circle

en

15:27

Episode 96: Elliot and MTV's The Real World

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2024/12/11

Today we’re bringing you an example of the bonus content you can find on our Patreon page.In the summer of 1994, the television show The Real World was filming in San Francisco. That same summer Elliot ended up in SF for an internship. One day those two worlds collided in a true Gen X moment. So sit back with a plate full of wings and one of your favorite beers from college. It's time to join us back in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss,

en

39:39

Episode 95: Return to the Mailbag

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2024/11/27

In this episode we take a step back from our typical subject matter to dig into our mailbag once again as we answer questions submitted by you, our listeners. Topics include record album art, April Fool’s pranks, Taylor Swift, listener reviews, Broadway shows and some recent speaking gigs. We also plug one of our favorite bar foods: onion rings.So sit back with your favorite warm and cozy beverage. It's time to join us back in the bar. - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the

en

46:39

Episode 94: Iconic Music Videos - Part 2

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2024/11/13

We’re bringing some video tapes with us into the bar — or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We’re talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we’ve broken this subject into two episodes.For today, we dusted off an older gem and coupled it with a more current one: a gritty and fun “Need You Tonight” from Australia’s INXS and Taylor Swift’s surreal technicolor dreamscape that is “ME!” We discuss the thinking behind each and then present some closing takeaways to understand why they all

en

44:18

Episode 93: Rural Electrification, Hope for Obama and...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2024/11/05

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.With Election Day happening in the United States, we wanted to mark the occasion with two amazing poster designs. We examine bringing electricity to rural parts of the United States 80 years later and inspiring a nation to rally behind an unknown presidential candidate named Barack Obama, along with how Lester Beall and Shepard Fairey made these big ideas easy to understand. And since Todd loves controversy, he shares the story of how Mr. Fairey found

en

57:53

Episode 92: Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Tarantula and...

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2024/10/30

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.For our special Halloween episode, and because of our love of B movies, we wanted to pay homage to one of the best horror poster artists of all time, Reynold Brown. We talk about the movie (and poster for) Tarantula, plus what is arguably one of the most recognizable staples of pop culture: the poster for Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman. (The movie? Not so much.) - - - - - Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional

en

43:08

Episode 91: Iconic Music Videos - Part 1

Two Designers Walk Into a Bar ·

2024/10/23

We're bringing some video tapes with us into the bar -- or at least some trusty YouTube links. Why? We're talking music videos! And we have so much to share, we've broken this subject into two episodes. For today, we've dug into the backs of our closets and dusted off a couple of favorites from yesterday that are still killing it today: a-ha's illustrative "Take on Me" and Peter Gabriel's surreal "Sledgehammer." We discuss why they were made, the creative motivations for each and the unsung heroes

en

137 results

Similar Podcasts

Start The Breakthrough Full Audiobook Now, Thriller Fans!

thebookvoice.com

Get Hooked On The Life-Enhancing Full Audiobook Experience!

thebookvoice.com

西四五条

主播郑捕头

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

On Mic Podcast

Jordan Rich